Some strains of the cannabis plant can regularly reach tree-like heights of 20 feet or more in one growing season. In contrast the fastest growing trees only grow up to 15 feet per year. Many of the same products produced with trees can be produced with hemp, leaving the beautiful, oxygen giving trees for us to enjoy. This means sustainable! Pretty rad if you ask us.

No way, brah – you’ll only get high on flavah. And maybe a little buzzed, but that’s just from the alcohol.

Q?Your Humboldt Brown Hemp Ale doesn’t taste like hemp!

A.

First of all, that’s not a question.

Second of all, we use toasted hemp seeds like other breweries use things like pumpkin seeds to enhance the brew’s flavor.

Q?Where was Humboldt Brewing Company founded?

A.

Humboldt Brewing Company was founded in 1987 in Arcata, located in beautiful Humboldt County, California. Humboldt County is known for its beautiful landscape, impressive redwoods and of course the “free spirit” mindset. Going green is much more than just a movement on California’s northern coast – it’s the philosophy that governs life in this timeless stretch of land. It’s an escape from the pressures of every-day corporate life and a retreat to the land that time forgot. This is the spirit that Humboldt Brewing Company wanted to capture and share through our craft beers; to offer a taste of this magical place to those who cannot experience it for themselves.

Nectar Ales was also the name of our brand from 2005-2012 while we were owned by Firestone Walker. For more on our history please see “Who brews Humboldt Brewing Company’s beers?” below.

Q?Who brews Humboldt Brewing Company’s beers?

A.

From 1987 to 2000, we proudly brewed our own beers in Arcata, California. In 2000, we realized that we simply could not brew enough beer to meet the high demand. So, we teamed up with the fine people at Firestone Walker who helped our line of Nectar Ales (Red Nectar, Nectar IPA, Humboldt Brown and Black Xantus) soar to new heights. Obviously it worked. In 2003 we won “Mid-Size Brewery of the Year” at the Great American Beer Festival and in 2005, Firestone Walker completely took over the Nectar Ales line. In 2012, ownership of our brand shifted again when Total Beverage Solution purchased the brand, but no matter who “owns” the company, our beers will always be brewed in California with the Humboldt spirit that helped guide us on our craft beer journey. With the genius of Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, Humboldt Brewing Company’s brews continued to impress beer drinkers and judges alike.

Of course it matters! This is the only earth we’ve got – so we need to pick up after ourselves (as any good guest should). From our brewing process to our packaging materials, we strive to use the most innovative and sustainable techniques. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your part as well. Do this Lovely Lady we inhabit a favor and please recycle.

Beyond that, a portion of the proceeds from our 500 BC Double IPA will be donated to the preservation efforts of the great redwoods.

500 BC Double IPA – Double the hops and double the beer! This brew honors the redwoods that surround the original home of Humboldt Brewing Company. Some redwoods have been around since 500 BC hence the name of our brew.

For more on our beers, click the brew you’d like to know more about.

Q?What does “500 BC” mean?

A.

See that awesome tree on the beer’s label? That’s a redwood, one of the oldest living species on the planet. These beautiful giants live on the northern California coast, home of Humboldt County and where we were born. Some scientists say these tall trees have been around since the era of the Roman Republic, or around 500 BC. Pretty awesome stuff, right? Here’s something not so awesome: The redwood population is declining due to deforestation. However, there is some good news – we’re joining the fight to preserve these beauties. We’ll donate $1 for each case of 500 BC Double IPA sold to fund redwood preservation.

Q?What is a double India Pale Ale?

A.

A double India Pale Ale or Double IPA is exactly what it sounds like. Usually these beers use double the amount of hops and have double the ABV (alcohol per volume) of a standard IPA. This means our 500 BC is one heck of a brew. Double IPAs can be quite strong yet less sweet than many other beers. These bad boys are usually classified as Imperial IPAs as “double” is just a nickname for the double strength and double hops used in the brewing process.